EP0129623B1 - Trip signal generator for a circuit interrupter - Google Patents
Trip signal generator for a circuit interrupter Download PDFInfo
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- EP0129623B1 EP0129623B1 EP83305992A EP83305992A EP0129623B1 EP 0129623 B1 EP0129623 B1 EP 0129623B1 EP 83305992 A EP83305992 A EP 83305992A EP 83305992 A EP83305992 A EP 83305992A EP 0129623 B1 EP0129623 B1 EP 0129623B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- current
- line
- output
- pulses
- trip signal
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/08—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current
- H02H3/093—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current with timing means
- H02H3/0935—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current with timing means the timing being determined by numerical means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic circuit for generating a trip signal to operate a circuit interrupter in a line carrying alternating current and, more specifically, to a circuit for generating a trip signal to initiate the interruption of overcurrent in a line in response to, and a predetermined time after, the inception of overcurrent in the line.
- the predetermined time is inversely related to the magnitude of the overcurrent.
- circuit interrupters such as fuses, circuit switches, circuit breakers, and reclosers may respond to certain overcurrents according to various time-current characteristics.
- Some interrupters rely upon the effect of the overcurrent on the interrupter to open the circuit. For example in a fuse, overcurrent melts a fusible element to open the circuit, with the magnitude of the overcurrent determining how quickly the fusible element melts, thereby providing an inverse time-current characteristic.
- Other devices have used various types of sensors to detect current in a line and to operate circuit interrupters in response to overcurrent.
- Prior art circuit interrupters operate according to time-current relationships which are characteristic of each particular type of interrupter.
- the time-current characteristics of many prior art circuit interrupters have provided limited flexibility in constructing a circuit interrupter having a particular overall time-current characteristic. For example, it would be desirable to match the time-current characteristic of an interrupter as precisely as possible to the damage curve of a transformer or other piece of equipment to be protected by the interrupter. Thus, it would be desirable in a circuit interrupter to be able to select a time-current characteristic with both straight and arcuate portions.
- circuit interrupters be operated reliably whenever overcurrent exists. It is also desirable that the level of current to which, and the delay before, the circuit interrupter responds be appropriate in light of the physical characteristics of the circuit interrupter and of the equipment in the line being protected.
- one object of the present invention is to provide a trip signal generator for generating a trip signal to reliably operate an associated circuit interrupter.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile trip signal generator that can be used to control the operation of various types of circuit interrupters and other devices, including, for example, circuit breakers, reclosers, circuit switchers, alarms and the like.
- US-A-4,347,541 discloses apparatus for producing a trip signal in response to the occurrence of overcurrent in an alternating-current line, the overcurrent being greater than a first current level, the trip signal being produced after a time delay that is inversely related to such overcurrent, the apparatus comprising:
- an apparatus for producing a trip signal in response to the occurrence of overcurrent in an alternating-current line, the overcurrent being greater than a first current level comprising:
- overcurrent means current exceeding a first, or threshold, current level, which may be determined, for example, by the maximum current deemed acceptable in view of the characteristics of the line being protected and the equipment associated therewith.
- threshold current level
- the trip signal generator produces a trip signal after a time delay, the length of which varies inversely with the difference between the overcurrent and the threshold current.
- the trip signal generated by the present invention may be used to effect the operation of various devices, such as a circuit breaker, circuit switcher, recloser, or other type of circuit interrupter, or an alarm or similar device.
- the present invention can be used to initiate operation of the circuit interrupters described in U.S. Patent No. 4,359,708-Jarosz and Panas and U.S. Patent No. 4,370,531-Tobin, both of which are commonly assigned to S & C Electric Company.
- the present invention includes a pulse generator that operates as a voltage-to-frequency converter, which produces pulses at a rate related to the value of input signals to the circuit when such input signals represent current in the line in excess of the selected threshold current (i.e. an overcurrent).
- the voltage-to-frequency converter may include an integrator and a Schmitt trigger, which receives as an input the output of the integrator.
- a counter is provided for counting the output pulses from the Schmitt trigger of the voltage-to-frequency converter.
- a counter output produces the trip signal after the counter has counted a selected number of pulses applied to the input of the counter.
- a level detector may be included to enable the counter only when the input signal to the trip signal generator represents line current in excess of the threshold current.
- the level detector causes the counter to be reset to zero and prevents counting when the current in the line is below the threshold current.
- the trip signal generator of the present invention may also include a range selector to select the count on which the counter will produce a trip signal.
- the range selector has the effect of increasing or decreasing the delay before a trip signal is produced in response to a given level of overcurrent.
- the range selector increases the time delay for lower overcurrents and decreases the time delay for higher overcurrents.
- the range selector may include a Schmitt trigger, the output of which carries an inhibit signal when the signals applied to an input thereof represents line current below a selected transition magnitude.
- Fig. 1A is a block diagram of a trip signal generator 20 of the present invention, which produces a trip signal at the output of OR gate 390 in response to an overcurrent in a line 32, which may be one phase or conductor of a multi-phase, alternating-current circuit.
- the trip signal generator 20 includes a sensor or transducer 50, a pulse generator 100, a level detector 200 and a pulse counter 300.
- a range selector 400 may also be included.
- the sensor 50 produces output signals which are proportional to the current in line 32.
- the signals from the sensor 50 are applied to the pulse generator 100.
- the pulse generator 100 produces pulses at a rate proportional to the difference between the overcurrent and the threshold current.
- overcurrent in the line 32 increases or decreases with time, the rate at which pulses are generated by the pulse generator 100 increases or decreases correspondingly.
- the pulses produced by the pulse generator 100 are applied to an input 302 of the pulse counter 300.
- the pulse generator 100 also produces, at an output 104, a second output signal that is related to the output signals produced by the sensor 50, and hence to the current in the line 32.
- This second output signal from the pulse generator 100 is applied to the input 202 of the level detector 200.
- the level detector 200 produces a reset/ inhibit signal on an output 204.
- the reset/inhibit signal is in a first state when the current in the line 32 is at or below the threshold current, and is in a second state when that current exceeds the threshold current (i.e., when an overcurrent exists).
- the reset/inhibit signal produced by the level detector 200 is applied to a reset input 304 of the pulse counter 300.
- the reset/inhibit signal When the reset/inhibit signal is in the first state, its application to the reset input 304 causes the pulse counter 300 to reset its count to zero and to cease counting any input pulses that may be applied to the input 302. When the reset/inhibit signal is in the second state, its application to the reset input 304 permits the pulse counter 300 to count the pulses applied to its input 302.
- the pulse counter 300 When the pulse counter 300 are counted a selected first number of pulses applied to its input 302, it produces a trip signal at its first output 306. The pulse counter 300 does not produce the trip signal on the first output 306 until the selected first number of pulses has been counted, and, therefore, the trip signal is produced after a period of time (i.e., a time delay).
- Fig. 3 illustrates the time-current characteristics ("TCC") of the trip signal generator 20 as so far described.
- TCC time-current characteristics
- a TCC curve is a log- log plot of current versus time used to represent the response or operation of an electrical circuit interrupter.
- the dashed, vertical line labeled "threshold current” represents the current level_ below which no trip signal is produced on the first output 306 of the pulse counter 300, regardless of the length of time such current may exist.
- Current at the line 32 in excess of the threshold current is overcurrent, in response to which a trip signal is produced on the first output 306 according to the relationship illustrated by the TCC curve 500 in Fig. 3.
- a longer time delay passes before a trip signal is generated on the first output 306 (as shown by the upper portion of the TCC curve 500, which asymptotically approaches the vertical line labeled threshold current) than for high levels of overcurrent (as shown by the lower portion of the TCC curve).
- the pulse counter 300 also may have a second output 308 on which a trip signal is produced after a selected second number of pulses is counted.
- the selected second number of pulses is less than the selected first number. Accordingly, if pulses are applied to the pulse input 302, a trip signal is generated at the second output 308 before a trip signal is generated at the first output 306.
- a trip signal generated at output 308 is applied to an input 382 of a gate 380, which is controlled by a blocking signal applied to input 384.
- a trip signal applied to input 382 is passed via output 386 to an input 392 of an OR gate 390.
- Application of a blocking signal to input 384 prevents any trip signal generated at the output 308 of the pulse counter from being applied to the OR gate 390.
- the range selector 400 also receives, on its input 402, the output signals produced by the sensor 50. When the output signals represent overcurrent in the line 32 less than a predetermined level (hereinafter referred to as the "transition current"), the range selector 400 generates a blocking signal on its output 404, which is applied to the input 384 of the gate 380.
- the transition current is illustrated by the dashed vertical line labeled “Transition Current” in Fig. 4.
- a trip signal is generated at the output 306 of the pulse counter and the output of the OR gate 390 only after the longer, first range of time delays.
- the range selector 400 When the output signals from the sensor 50 represent overcurrent in the line 32 greater than the transition current, the range selector 400 does not generate a blocking signal on its output 404. Thus, for overcurrent exceedng the transition current (hereinafter referred to as "high-moderate overcurrent") a trip signal is generated at the output 308 of the pulse counter and is received at the input 392 of the OR gate 390 after the above- referred to shorter range of time delays.
- high-moderate overcurrent a trip signal is generated at the output 308 of the pulse counter and is received at the input 392 of the OR gate 390 after the above- referred to shorter range of time delays.
- the trip signal generator 20 with the range selector 400 produces a trip signal on the output of the OR gate 390 according to the comopund TCC curve illustrated in Fig. 4.
- the current in the line 32 is below the threshold current, no trip signal is generated at the output of the OR gate 390, regardless of the length of time such current exists.
- the line 32 carries low-moderate overcurrent (i.e., current greater than the threshold current but less than the transition current)
- a trip signal is generated at the output of the OR gate 390 by the first output 306 according to a first portion 602 of the TCC curve, which is similar to the TCC curve 500 in Fig. 3.
- a trip signal first is generated at the output of the OR gate 390 by the second output 308 according to a second portion 604 of the TCC curve.
- the transition 606 between the two portions 602 and 604 is effectuated by the operation of the range selector 400.
- any desired number of overcurrent ranges may be realized by using a pulse counter 300 having as many outputs as the number of overcurrent ranges desired.
- a trip signal would be produced at each output after the pulse counter 300 counts a different, corresponding number of pulses.
- a gate 380 and associated range selector 400 would be provided for all the outputs except the one associated with the highest count. Thus, there would be a corresponding number of transition current magnitudes.
- one output of the pulse counter 300 and all higher count outputs would be capable of supplying a trip signal at the output of the OR gate 390.
- the trip signal to appear first at the output of the OR gate 390 would be the one produced by the lowest count output not blocked by a gate 380 and the blocking signal from the associated range selector 400. All lower count outputs would be prevented from supplying a trip signal to the output of the OR gate 390 by their associated range selectors 400 and gates 380.
- the trip signal generator of the present invention may produce a trip signal according to a TCC curve having any desired number of arcuate portions, each corresponding to one range of overcurrent in the line 32.
- suitable connectors are provided for selectively applying only one out of two or more outputs of the pulse counter 300 to each input 382 of the gate 380 or input 394 of the OR gate 390.
- the level detector 200 and gate 380 are omitted.
- the blocking signal produced by the range selector 400 is applied to the reset input 304 of the pulse counter 300.
- the range selector 400 is used to generate a signal which causes the pulse counter to reset its count to zero and to not count any pulses applied to its input 302 when the current in the line 32 is below a transition current.
- the range selector 400 When the magnitude of the current in the line 32 exceeds the transition current, the range selector 400 generates a signal at its output 404 that permits the pulse counter 300 to count the pulses applied to input 302.
- one or more additional range selectors also could be used to generate blocking signals for controlling gates 380 associated with various output counts of the pulse counter 300.
- the trip signal generator circuit 20 may include a pulse generator 100 comprising a first operational amplifier 110 used as an integrator, a second operational amplifier 160 used, as a Schmitt trigger, and associated circuitry as described below.
- the trip signal generator 20 also may include a level detector 200 comprising a third operational amplifier 210 used as a threshold detector and associated circuitry. As explained more fully below, together the operational amplifiers 110 and 160 operate as a voltage-to-frequency converter.
- the trip signal generator 20 may also include a pulse counter 300.
- the range selector 400 if present, may include an operational amplifier410 and associated circuitry used as a Schmitt trigger.
- the sensor or transducer 50 may include a current transformer 56 for providing an alternating output current directly proportional to the current in the line 32, the line being protected by the circuit interrupter (not shown) operated by a trip signal on the output 398 of a NAND gate 391.
- the alternating output current of the current transformer 56 may be rectified by a full-wave bridge rectifier 52.
- the bridge rectifier 52 provides at the positive output 66 and the negative output 67 a full-wave rectified current proportional to the current in the line 32.
- a load or sampling resistor 70 is connected from the negative output 67 of the bridge rectifier 52 to circuit common, thereby providing at the junction 72 a negative voltage proportional to the current in the line 32.
- the voltage at the junction 72 is applied via resistors 120 and 122 to the inverting input 112 of the operational amplifier 110.
- Positive voltage is applied to the inverting input 112 of the operational amplifier 110 from a constant voltage reference 128 via a resistor 124.
- the non-inverting input 114 of the operational amplifier 110 is connected via resistor 132 to circuit common.
- a series combination of a resistor 170 and a diode 172 Connected beteween the inverting input 112 of the operational amplifier 110 and the output of the operational amplifier 160 is a series combination of a resistor 170 and a diode 172. The junction between the diode 172 and the resistor 170 is connected to circuit common through a resistor 174. A feedback resistor 176 is connected from the output 166 of the operational amplifier 160 to its non-inverting input 164. A series combination of a feedback capacitor 180 and a resistor 178 is connected between the inverting input 112 of the operational amplifier 110 and the non-inverting input 164 of the operational amplifier 160. The output 116 of the operational amplifier 110 is connected to the inverting input 212 of the operational amplifier 210 and to the junction between the capacitor 180 and resistor 178. A constant positive voltage reference 220 is connected to the output 216 of the operational amplifier 210 through a resistor 218.
- the non-inverting input 214 of the operational amplifier 210 is connected to a constant positive voltage reference source 222.
- the inverting input 162 of the operational amplifier 160 is connected to a constant positive voltage reference 168.
- the counter 300 is powered by a constant reference voltage 316.
- the counter 300 may have four outputs 320, 322, 324 and 326, which may be, for example, the 8-count, the 32-count, the 64- count and the 1024-count outputs, respectively.
- the counter 300 includes a pulse input 302 and an inhibit/reset input 304.
- the portion of the circuit containing the operational amplifiers 110 and 160 operates as a voltage-to-frequency converter when there is overcurrent in the line 32, which produces pulses on the output 166 at a rate proportional to the difference between the overcurrent (represented by the negative voltage at the junction 72) and the threshold current (represented by the voltage reference 128).
- the overcurrent represented by the negative voltage at the junction 72
- the threshold current represented by the voltage reference 1248.
- the full-wave-rectified negative voltage at the junction 72 increases negatively, and the reference voltage 128 no longer supplies sufficient current to produce a positive voltage on the input 112 of the operational amplifier 110. Accordingly, the output of the operational amplifier 110 goes high. Current is supplied to the input 112 through the capacitor 180 from the output 116 of the operational amplifier 110.
- the output of the operational amplifier 110 begins to ramp increasingly positive from its normal low state as the capacitor 180 charges. As voltage at the junction 72 increases negatively, the output of the operational amplifier 110 ramps upwardly at a faster rate. When the voltage at the output 116 of the operational amplifier 110 is sufficiently high, the voltage applied to the non-inverting input 164 of the operational amplifier 160 from the junction between the resistors 176 and 178 exceeds the reference voltage 168 on the inverting input 162 by an amount sufficient to cause the output of the operational amplifier 160 to switch from its normal low state to a high state.
- High signals from the output 166 of the operational amplifier 160 are supplied through the resistor 170 and the diode 172 to the input 112, decreasing the need for the output 116 to supply current to the input 112 through the capacitor 180.
- the decreased need for current from the output 116 causes the voltage at the output 116 of the operational amplifier 110 to ramp down.
- the voltage applied to the non-inverting input 164 of the operational amplifier 160 decreases, thereby causing the output 166 of the operational amplifier 160 to switch to the low state. If the voltage at the junction 72 remains sufficiently negative, this process is repeated.
- each downward transition of the output of the operational amplifier 160 is recorded as a pulse by the counter 300.
- the output voltage of the operational amplifier 110 will ramp down low enough to cause the output voltage of the operational amplifier 210 to go high, thereby resetting counter 300 and inhibiting any further counting of pulses.
- the operational amplifier 210 operates as a threshold detector, which prohibits the counter 300 from counting any pulses that may be applied to input 302 when the current in the line 32 does not exceed a predetermined "threshold level," as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.
- This threshold current level can be adjusted by changing one or more of the values of resistors 120, 122, 124 or 440. For example, increasing the value of resistor 440 lowers the threshold current to which the voltage-to-frequency converter (comprising the circuitry associated with the operational amplifiers 110 and 160) responds, while decreasing the value of resistor 440 has the opposite effect.
- the output thereof continues to ramp up and down between limits for as long as the voltage at the junction 72 is sufficiently negative.
- the non-inverting input 214 of the operational amplifier 210 is normally (i.e., when the magnitude of the current in the line 32 is below the threshold) at a higher voltage than the inverting input 212, which results in the output 216 of the operational amplifier 210 normally being high.
- This high output is applied to the inhibit/ reset input 304 of the counter 300, which resets the counter 300 to zero and prevents any pulses applied to input 302 form being counted.
- the output voltage of the operational amplifier 110 initially ramps upwardly in response to an overcurrent in the line 32, the voltage applied to the inverting input 212 of the operational amplifier 210 increases sufficiently to cause the output 216 to switch to the low state, thereby enabling the counter 300 to count pulses applied to the input 302.
- the output 116 of the operational amplifier 110 continues to ramp up and down in response to an overcurrent, each pulse applied to the input 302 is counted by the counter 300.
- the output 116 of operational amplifier 110 returns to its low state and the output 216 of the operational amplifier 210 switches high, thus resetting the counter 300.
- the ramping up and down of the output 116 of the operational amplifier 110 produces pulses at the output 166 of the operational amplifier 160 that are applied to the input 302 and counted by counter 300. It can be seen from the foregoing description that the rate of the ramping up and down is proportional to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the inverting input 112, which is determined by the difference between the negative voltage at the junction 72 and the positive reference voltage 128.
- the time constant of the integrator comprised of the operational amplifier 110 and the associated circuitry is chosen to be short so as to minimize the effects of errors due to the use of non-ideal components.
- the output 320 switches from a low to a high state.
- the output 322 switches from a low to a high state after 32 pulses on the input 302 have been counted.
- the outputs 324 and 326 respectively, switch from a low to a high state when a series of 64 and 1024 pulses, respectively, have been applied to the input 302.
- One of the outputs 320 and 322 can be selected and one of the outputs 324 and 326 can be selected by the use of movable connectors 340 and 342, respectively.
- the trip signal generator of the present invention may also include a range selector 400.
- the operational amplifier 410 is used as a Schmitt trigger and functionally operates as a range selector.
- the inverting input 412 of the operational amplifier 400 is connected to a constant positive voltage reference 420 via a resistor 422. Negative voltage from the junction 72 is also applied to the inverting input 412 via resistor 120 and series resistors 430 and 432.
- a capacitor 434 is connected from the junction between the resistors 430 and 432 to circuit common.
- the resistor 440 is connected to ground from the junction of resistors 120, 122 and 432.
- the non-inverting input 414 is connected to circuit common through a resistor 442.
- the output 416 of the operational amplifier 410 is connected to its non-inverting input 414 through a resistor 444.
- the non-inverting input 414 is connected to a constant reference voltage 448 through a resistor 446.
- the resistor 432 and capacitor 434 operate as an RC filter for the negative voltage from the junction 72 to reduce the ripple in the dc voltage at the junction between the resistors 430 and 432.
- This dc voltage is applied to the inverting' input 412 of the operational amplifier 410 through the resistor 430.
- the positive reference voltage 420 is added to this dc signal through the resistor 422.
- a positive dc voltage is applied to the inverting input 412. This positive voltage decreases as the negative voltage at the junction 72 increases (i.e., as the current in the line 32 increases). If the positive voltage applied to the inverting input 412 decreases to below the voltage being applied to the non-inverting input 414, the output of operational amplifier 410 switches high.
- the resistors 440, 432, 430, 422, 442 and 446, and the reference voltages 420 and 448 are selected or adjusted so that when the current in the line 32 is below the transition current, the output of the operational amplifier 410 remains low.
- the output of the operational amplifier 410 is high only when the magnitude of the current in line 32 exceeds the transition current.
- Feedback resistor 444 causes the operational amplifier 410 to operate as a Schmitt trigger by not switching until the transition current level is crossed.
- the output 416 of the operational amplifier 410 is applied to an input 383 of the two-input NAND gate 381.
- the other input 385 is connected to either the output 320 or the output 322 of the counter 300 by a movable connector 340.
- the output 387 of the NAND gate 381 is connected to an input 393 of the two-input NAND gate 391.
- the other input 395 is connected through an inverter 375 to either output 324 or output 326 of the counter 300 by a movable connector 342.
- the output of the operational amplifier 110 When the current in the line 32 is below the threshold (i.e., not an overcurrent), the output of the operational amplifier 110 is low, the output of the operational amplifier 210 is high, and all of the outputs 320-326 of the counter 300 are low.
- the low signal from either the output 320 or the output 322 (depending upon the position of the connector 340) of the counter 300 and the low signal from the output of the operational amplifier 410 are each applied to the inputs 385 and 383, respectively, of the NAND gate 381.
- the resultant output of the NAND gate 381 is a high signal, which is applied to the input 393 of the NAND gate 391.
- a low signal is applied from either output 324 or output 326 (depending upon the position of the connector 342) of the counter 300 to the inverter 375, which converts the low signal to a high signal, and which, in turn, is applied to the other input 395 of the NAND gate 391.
- the NAND gate 391 With a high signal on each of its inputs, the NAND gate 391 produces a low output signal when current in line 32 is below the threshold current (i.e., no trip signal is produced).
- outputs 324 and 326 are not so disabled by the operational amplifier 410, and if a high signal is produced on the output 324 or 326 selected by the movable connector 342, a low o.utput signal from inverter 375 will be applied to NAND gate 391. As a result, the output 398 of the NAND gate 391 switches high. This high signal is the trip signal that may initiate the interruption of the current in the line 32. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the range selector 400 and the movable connectors 340 and 342 determine which of the four outputs 320-326 is the one selected to provide the trip signal on output 398 for an overcurrent of a given magnitude.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an electronic circuit for generating a trip signal to operate a circuit interrupter in a line carrying alternating current and, more specifically, to a circuit for generating a trip signal to initiate the interruption of overcurrent in a line in response to, and a predetermined time after, the inception of overcurrent in the line. The predetermined time is inversely related to the magnitude of the overcurrent.
- It is well known that typical prior art circuit interrupters such as fuses, circuit switches, circuit breakers, and reclosers may respond to certain overcurrents according to various time-current characteristics. Some interrupters rely upon the effect of the overcurrent on the interrupter to open the circuit. For example in a fuse, overcurrent melts a fusible element to open the circuit, with the magnitude of the overcurrent determining how quickly the fusible element melts, thereby providing an inverse time-current characteristic. Other devices have used various types of sensors to detect current in a line and to operate circuit interrupters in response to overcurrent.
- Prior art circuit interrupters operate according to time-current relationships which are characteristic of each particular type of interrupter. The time-current characteristics of many prior art circuit interrupters have provided limited flexibility in constructing a circuit interrupter having a particular overall time-current characteristic. For example, it would be desirable to match the time-current characteristic of an interrupter as precisely as possible to the damage curve of a transformer or other piece of equipment to be protected by the interrupter. Thus, it would be desirable in a circuit interrupter to be able to select a time-current characteristic with both straight and arcuate portions.
- It is desirable that the higher the level of over current in a protected line, the more quickly a circuit interrupter operates. Further, it is desirable that such circuit interrupters not respond to current in the line that is not overcurrent, regardless of the length of time such lower magnitude current flows.
- It is desirable that circuit interrupters be operated reliably whenever overcurrent exists. It is also desirable that the level of current to which, and the delay before, the circuit interrupter responds be appropriate in light of the physical characteristics of the circuit interrupter and of the equipment in the line being protected.
- Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a trip signal generator for generating a trip signal to reliably operate an associated circuit interrupter.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trip signal generator for producing a trip signal after a time delay has elapsed following the onset of an overcurrent, the length of such time delay being inversely related to the magnitude of the overcurrent.
- It is also an obejct of the present invention to provide a trip signal generator that can be readily adapted to respond to various levels of overcurrent, after various time delays, thereby permitting the trip signal generator to be matched with the design limitations of the associated circuit interrupter and of the equipment in the line being protected.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a trip signal generator in which the period of the delay before a trip signal is generated in response to a given level of overcurrent is readily selectable, thereby permitting further adjustment of the trip signal generator to suit the design limitations of the associated circuit interrupter and of the equipment in the line.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile trip signal generator that can be used to control the operation of various types of circuit interrupters and other devices, including, for example, circuit breakers, reclosers, circuit switchers, alarms and the like.
- US-A-4,347,541 discloses apparatus for producing a trip signal in response to the occurrence of overcurrent in an alternating-current line, the overcurrent being greater than a first current level, the trip signal being produced after a time delay that is inversely related to such overcurrent, the apparatus comprising:
- pulse generator means for generating pulses at a rate proportional to the excess of the current in the line over the first current level;
- counter means having a first output for counting the pulses generated by said pulse generator means and producing a first trip signal at said first output after said counter means has counted a first selected number of the pulses, and
- reset means for resetting said counter means to an initial count whenever the current in the line is below a first level.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a trip signal in response to the occurrence of overcurrent in an alternating-current line, the overcurrent being greater than a first current level, the trip signal being prdouced after a time delay that is inversely related to such overcurrent, the apparatus comprising:
- pulse generator means for generating pulses at a rate proportional to the excess of the current in the line over the first current level;
- counter means having a first output for counting the pulses generated by said pulse generator means and producing a first trip signal at said first output after said counter means has counted a first selected number of the pulses, and
- reset means for resetting said counter means to an initial count whenever the current in the line is below the first level, characterised in that:
- the counter means has a second output means, and produces a second trip signal at said second output after said counter means has counted a second selected number of pulses, the first selected number of pulses being greater than the second selected number of pulses, and in that the apparatus further comprises;
- range selector means responsive to the current in the line for generating a blocking signal that is in a first state when the current in the line is below a second current level higher than the first current level and in a second state when the current in the line exceeds the second current level; and
- gate means responsive to the blocking signal, said gate means having an input for receiving said second trip signal at said second output, said gate means also having an output to which is passed said second trip signal when the blocking signal is in the second state, and said gate means not passing to its output the second trip signal when the blocking signal is in the first state.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a trip signal in response to the occurrence of overcurrent in an alternating-current line, the overcurrent being greater than a first current level, the apparatus comprising:
- pulse generator means for generating pulses;
- counter means, for counting the pulses generated by said pulse generator;
- means for producing a signal after said counter means has counted a first selected number of the pulses, wherein the signal produced is a trip signal; and
- range selector means for resetting said counter means to an initial count whenever the current in the line is below the first current level, characterised in that:
- the pulse generator means generates pulses at a rate proportional to the excess of the current in the line over a second non-zero current level, and' in that the second current level is lower than the first current level.
- As used herein, "overcurrent" means current exceeding a first, or threshold, current level, which may be determined, for example, by the maximum current deemed acceptable in view of the characteristics of the line being protected and the equipment associated therewith. When an overcurrent occurs in the line the trip signal generator produces a trip signal after a time delay, the length of which varies inversely with the difference between the overcurrent and the threshold current.
- The trip signal generated by the present invention may be used to effect the operation of various devices, such as a circuit breaker, circuit switcher, recloser, or other type of circuit interrupter, or an alarm or similar device. For example, the present invention can be used to initiate operation of the circuit interrupters described in U.S. Patent No. 4,359,708-Jarosz and Panas and U.S. Patent No. 4,370,531-Tobin, both of which are commonly assigned to S & C Electric Company.
- The present invention includes a pulse generator that operates as a voltage-to-frequency converter, which produces pulses at a rate related to the value of input signals to the circuit when such input signals represent current in the line in excess of the selected threshold current (i.e. an overcurrent). The voltage-to-frequency converter may include an integrator and a Schmitt trigger, which receives as an input the output of the integrator.
- A counter is provided for counting the output pulses from the Schmitt trigger of the voltage-to-frequency converter. A counter output produces the trip signal after the counter has counted a selected number of pulses applied to the input of the counter.
- A level detector may be included to enable the counter only when the input signal to the trip signal generator represents line current in excess of the threshold current. The level detector causes the counter to be reset to zero and prevents counting when the current in the line is below the threshold current.
- The trip signal generator of the present invention may also include a range selector to select the count on which the counter will produce a trip signal. Thus, the range selector has the effect of increasing or decreasing the delay before a trip signal is produced in response to a given level of overcurrent. The range selector increases the time delay for lower overcurrents and decreases the time delay for higher overcurrents. The range selector may include a Schmitt trigger, the output of which carries an inhibit signal when the signals applied to an input thereof represents line current below a selected transition magnitude.
-
- Fig. 1A is a block diagram of the trip signal generator of the present invention;
- Fig. 1 B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the trip signal generator of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the trip signal generator of the present invention; and
- Figs 3 and 4 are generalized curves representing the relationship between time and current that will cause a trip signal to be generated by the present invention.
- Fig. 1A is a block diagram of a
trip signal generator 20 of the present invention, which produces a trip signal at the output ofOR gate 390 in response to an overcurrent in aline 32, which may be one phase or conductor of a multi-phase, alternating-current circuit. Thetrip signal generator 20 includes a sensor ortransducer 50, apulse generator 100, alevel detector 200 and apulse counter 300. Arange selector 400 may also be included. - The
sensor 50 produces output signals which are proportional to the current inline 32. The signals from thesensor 50 are applied to thepulse generator 100. When the output signals from thesensor 50 represent current in theline 32 in excess of a threshold current magnitude, thepulse generator 100 produces pulses at a rate proportional to the difference between the overcurrent and the threshold current. As overcurrent in theline 32 increases or decreases with time, the rate at which pulses are generated by thepulse generator 100 increases or decreases correspondingly. The pulses produced by thepulse generator 100 are applied to aninput 302 of thepulse counter 300. - The
pulse generator 100 also produces, at anoutput 104, a second output signal that is related to the output signals produced by thesensor 50, and hence to the current in theline 32. This second output signal from thepulse generator 100 is applied to theinput 202 of thelevel detector 200. Thelevel detector 200 produces a reset/ inhibit signal on anoutput 204. The reset/inhibit signal is in a first state when the current in theline 32 is at or below the threshold current, and is in a second state when that current exceeds the threshold current (i.e., when an overcurrent exists). The reset/inhibit signal produced by thelevel detector 200 is applied to areset input 304 of thepulse counter 300. When the reset/inhibit signal is in the first state, its application to thereset input 304 causes thepulse counter 300 to reset its count to zero and to cease counting any input pulses that may be applied to theinput 302. When the reset/inhibit signal is in the second state, its application to thereset input 304 permits thepulse counter 300 to count the pulses applied to itsinput 302. - When the
pulse counter 300 are counted a selected first number of pulses applied to itsinput 302, it produces a trip signal at itsfirst output 306. Thepulse counter 300 does not produce the trip signal on thefirst output 306 until the selected first number of pulses has been counted, and, therefore, the trip signal is produced after a period of time (i.e., a time delay). - Fig. 3 illustrates the time-current characteristics ("TCC") of the
trip signal generator 20 as so far described. As is well known, a TCC curve is a log- log plot of current versus time used to represent the response or operation of an electrical circuit interrupter. The dashed, vertical line labeled "threshold current" represents the current level_ below which no trip signal is produced on thefirst output 306 of thepulse counter 300, regardless of the length of time such current may exist. Current at theline 32 in excess of the threshold current is overcurrent, in response to which a trip signal is produced on thefirst output 306 according to the relationship illustrated by theTCC curve 500 in Fig. 3. For low levels of overcurrent in theline 32, a longer time delay passes before a trip signal is generated on the first output 306 (as shown by the upper portion of theTCC curve 500, which asymptotically approaches the vertical line labeled threshold current) than for high levels of overcurrent (as shown by the lower portion of the TCC curve). - The
pulse counter 300 also may have asecond output 308 on which a trip signal is produced after a selected second number of pulses is counted. The selected second number of pulses is less than the selected first number. Accordingly, if pulses are applied to thepulse input 302, a trip signal is generated at thesecond output 308 before a trip signal is generated at thefirst output 306. - A trip signal generated at
output 308 is applied to aninput 382 of agate 380, which is controlled by a blocking signal applied toinput 384. When no blocking signal is present at thegate 380, a trip signal applied to input 382 is passed viaoutput 386 to aninput 392 of anOR gate 390. Application of a blocking signal to input 384 prevents any trip signal generated at theoutput 308 of the pulse counter from being applied to theOR gate 390. Therefore, if pulses are applied to the pulse input 302 (while the reset/inhibit signal is in the second state) and the blocking signal is applied to theinput 384 of thegate 380, only a trip signal generated at thefirst output 306 after a time delay within a first range of time delays, as described above, will reach the output of theOR gate 390 via aninput 394. However, if no blocking signal is applied to theinput 384 of thegate 380, a trip signal generated at thesecond output 308 after a shorter time delay within a second range of time delays will reach the output of theOR gate 390 via theinput 392. The first and second ranges of time delays are illustrated on the TCC curve in Fig. 4. - The
range selector 400 also receives, on itsinput 402, the output signals produced by thesensor 50. When the output signals represent overcurrent in theline 32 less than a predetermined level (hereinafter referred to as the "transition current"), therange selector 400 generates a blocking signal on itsoutput 404, which is applied to theinput 384 of thegate 380. The transition current is illustrated by the dashed vertical line labeled "Transition Current" in Fig. 4. Thus, for overcurrent between the threshold current and the transition current (hereinafter referred to as "low-moderate overcurrent") a trip signal is generated at theoutput 306 of the pulse counter and the output of theOR gate 390 only after the longer, first range of time delays. - When the output signals from the
sensor 50 represent overcurrent in theline 32 greater than the transition current, therange selector 400 does not generate a blocking signal on itsoutput 404. Thus, for overcurrent exceedng the transition current (hereinafter referred to as "high-moderate overcurrent") a trip signal is generated at theoutput 308 of the pulse counter and is received at theinput 392 of theOR gate 390 after the above- referred to shorter range of time delays. - The
trip signal generator 20 with therange selector 400 produces a trip signal on the output of theOR gate 390 according to the comopund TCC curve illustrated in Fig. 4. When the current in theline 32 is below the threshold current, no trip signal is generated at the output of theOR gate 390, regardless of the length of time such current exists. When theline 32 carries low-moderate overcurrent (i.e., current greater than the threshold current but less than the transition current), a trip signal is generated at the output of theOR gate 390 by thefirst output 306 according to a first portion 602 of the TCC curve, which is similar to theTCC curve 500 in Fig. 3. When theline 32 is carrying high-moderate overcurrent, a trip signal first is generated at the output of theOR gate 390 by thesecond output 308 according to asecond portion 604 of the TCC curve. Thus, thetransition 606 between the twoportions 602 and 604 is effectuated by the operation of therange selector 400. - In alternative embodiments of the
trip signal generator 20 of the present invention, any desired number of overcurrent ranges may be realized by using apulse counter 300 having as many outputs as the number of overcurrent ranges desired. A trip signal would be produced at each output after thepulse counter 300 counts a different, corresponding number of pulses. Agate 380 and associatedrange selector 400 would be provided for all the outputs except the one associated with the highest count. Thus, there would be a corresponding number of transition current magnitudes. Depending on the overcurrent in theline 32, one output of thepulse counter 300 and all higher count outputs would be capable of supplying a trip signal at the output of theOR gate 390. The trip signal to appear first at the output of theOR gate 390 would be the one produced by the lowest count output not blocked by agate 380 and the blocking signal from the associatedrange selector 400. All lower count outputs would be prevented from supplying a trip signal to the output of theOR gate 390 by their associatedrange selectors 400 andgates 380. In this way, the trip signal generator of the present invention may produce a trip signal according to a TCC curve having any desired number of arcuate portions, each corresponding to one range of overcurrent in theline 32. - In another alternative embodiment, suitable connectors are provided for selectively applying only one out of two or more outputs of the
pulse counter 300 to eachinput 382 of thegate 380 orinput 394 of theOR gate 390. - In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 1B, the
level detector 200 andgate 380 are omitted. The blocking signal produced by therange selector 400 is applied to thereset input 304 of thepulse counter 300. In this embodiment, therange selector 400 is used to generate a signal which causes the pulse counter to reset its count to zero and to not count any pulses applied to itsinput 302 when the current in theline 32 is below a transition current. When the magnitude of the current in theline 32 exceeds the transition current, therange selector 400 generates a signal at itsoutput 404 that permits thepulse counter 300 to count the pulses applied to input 302. In this embodiment, one or more additional range selectors also could be used to generate blocking signals for controllinggates 380 associated with various output counts of thepulse counter 300. - With reference to Fig. 2, a specific embodiment of the
trip signal generator 20 is shown. The tripsignal generator circuit 20 may include apulse generator 100 comprising a firstoperational amplifier 110 used as an integrator, a secondoperational amplifier 160 used, as a Schmitt trigger, and associated circuitry as described below. Thetrip signal generator 20 also may include alevel detector 200 comprising a third operational amplifier 210 used as a threshold detector and associated circuitry. As explained more fully below, together theoperational amplifiers trip signal generator 20 may also include apulse counter 300. Therange selector 400 if present, may include an operational amplifier410 and associated circuitry used as a Schmitt trigger. - The sensor or
transducer 50 may include acurrent transformer 56 for providing an alternating output current directly proportional to the current in theline 32, the line being protected by the circuit interrupter (not shown) operated by a trip signal on theoutput 398 of a NAND gate 391. The alternating output current of thecurrent transformer 56 may be rectified by a full-wave bridge rectifier 52. The bridge rectifier 52 provides at the positive output 66 and the negative output 67 a full-wave rectified current proportional to the current in theline 32. A load orsampling resistor 70 is connected from the negative output 67 of the bridge rectifier 52 to circuit common, thereby providing at the junction 72 a negative voltage proportional to the current in theline 32. - The voltage at the
junction 72 is applied viaresistors input 112 of theoperational amplifier 110. Positive voltage is applied to the invertinginput 112 of theoperational amplifier 110 from aconstant voltage reference 128 via aresistor 124. The non-inverting input 114 of theoperational amplifier 110 is connected viaresistor 132 to circuit common. - Connected beteween the inverting
input 112 of theoperational amplifier 110 and the output of theoperational amplifier 160 is a series combination of aresistor 170 and adiode 172. The junction between thediode 172 and theresistor 170 is connected to circuit common through a resistor 174. Afeedback resistor 176 is connected from theoutput 166 of theoperational amplifier 160 to its non-inverting input 164. A series combination of a feedback capacitor 180 and aresistor 178 is connected between the invertinginput 112 of theoperational amplifier 110 and the non-inverting input 164 of theoperational amplifier 160. Theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 is connected to the inverting input 212 of the operational amplifier 210 and to the junction between the capacitor 180 andresistor 178. A constantpositive voltage reference 220 is connected to theoutput 216 of the operational amplifier 210 through aresistor 218. - The
non-inverting input 214 of the operational amplifier 210 is connected to a constant positivevoltage reference source 222. The invertinginput 162 of theoperational amplifier 160 is connected to a constant positive voltage reference 168. - The
counter 300 is powered by aconstant reference voltage 316. Thecounter 300 may have fouroutputs counter 300 includes apulse input 302 and an inhibit/resetinput 304. - The portion of the circuit containing the
operational amplifiers line 32, which produces pulses on theoutput 166 at a rate proportional to the difference between the overcurrent (represented by the negative voltage at the junction 72) and the threshold current (represented by the voltage reference 128). When there is an overcurrent in theline 32, the full-wave-rectified negative voltage at thejunction 72 increases negatively, and thereference voltage 128 no longer supplies sufficient current to produce a positive voltage on theinput 112 of theoperational amplifier 110. Accordingly, the output of theoperational amplifier 110 goes high. Current is supplied to theinput 112 through the capacitor 180 from theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110. Thus, the output of theoperational amplifier 110 begins to ramp increasingly positive from its normal low state as the capacitor 180 charges. As voltage at thejunction 72 increases negatively, the output of theoperational amplifier 110 ramps upwardly at a faster rate. When the voltage at theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 is sufficiently high, the voltage applied to the non-inverting input 164 of theoperational amplifier 160 from the junction between theresistors input 162 by an amount sufficient to cause the output of theoperational amplifier 160 to switch from its normal low state to a high state. High signals from theoutput 166 of theoperational amplifier 160 are supplied through theresistor 170 and thediode 172 to theinput 112, decreasing the need for theoutput 116 to supply current to theinput 112 through the capacitor 180. The decreased need for current from theoutput 116 causes the voltage at theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 to ramp down. As the voltage at theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 ramps down, the voltage applied to the non-inverting input 164 of theoperational amplifier 160 decreases, thereby causing theoutput 166 of theoperational amplifier 160 to switch to the low state. If the voltage at thejunction 72 remains sufficiently negative, this process is repeated. As long as a low signal is present on the inhibit/resetinput 304 of thecounter 300, each downward transition of the output of theoperational amplifier 160 is recorded as a pulse by thecounter 300. As discussed below, if the voltage at thejunction 72 does not remain sufficiently negative (i.e., the current in theline 32 falls below the threshold), the output voltage of theoperational amplifier 110 will ramp down low enough to cause the output voltage of the operational amplifier 210 to go high, thereby resettingcounter 300 and inhibiting any further counting of pulses. - The operational amplifier 210 operates as a threshold detector, which prohibits the
counter 300 from counting any pulses that may be applied to input 302 when the current in theline 32 does not exceed a predetermined "threshold level," as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This threshold current level can be adjusted by changing one or more of the values ofresistors resistor 440 lowers the threshold current to which the voltage-to-frequency converter (comprising the circuitry associated with theoperational amplifiers 110 and 160) responds, while decreasing the value ofresistor 440 has the opposite effect. - In the above-described sequence, after initial ramp up of the output voltage of the
operational amplifier 110, the output thereof continues to ramp up and down between limits for as long as the voltage at thejunction 72 is sufficiently negative. Thenon-inverting input 214 of the operational amplifier 210 is normally (i.e., when the magnitude of the current in theline 32 is below the threshold) at a higher voltage than the inverting input 212, which results in theoutput 216 of the operational amplifier 210 normally being high. This high output is applied to the inhibit/ resetinput 304 of thecounter 300, which resets thecounter 300 to zero and prevents any pulses applied to input 302 form being counted. As the output voltage of theoperational amplifier 110 initially ramps upwardly in response to an overcurrent in theline 32, the voltage applied to the inverting input 212 of the operational amplifier 210 increases sufficiently to cause theoutput 216 to switch to the low state, thereby enabling thecounter 300 to count pulses applied to theinput 302. As long as theoutput 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 continues to ramp up and down in response to an overcurrent, each pulse applied to theinput 302 is counted by thecounter 300. Should the negative voltage applied to thejunction 72 decrease sufficiently (i.e., the current in theline 32 falls below the threshold), theoutput 116 ofoperational amplifier 110 returns to its low state and theoutput 216 of the operational amplifier 210 switches high, thus resetting thecounter 300. - The ramping up and down of the
output 116 of theoperational amplifier 110 produces pulses at theoutput 166 of theoperational amplifier 160 that are applied to theinput 302 and counted bycounter 300. It can be seen from the foregoing description that the rate of the ramping up and down is proportional to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the invertinginput 112, which is determined by the difference between the negative voltage at thejunction 72 and thepositive reference voltage 128. The time constant of the integrator comprised of theoperational amplifier 110 and the associated circuitry is chosen to be short so as to minimize the effects of errors due to the use of non-ideal components. - After eight pulses have been applied to the
input 302 of thecounter 300, theoutput 320 switches from a low to a high state. Similarly, theoutput 322 switches from a low to a high state after 32 pulses on theinput 302 have been counted. In a similar fashion, theoutputs input 302. One of theoutputs outputs movable connectors 340 and 342, respectively. - As described above, the trip signal generator of the present invention may also include a
range selector 400. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, theoperational amplifier 410 is used as a Schmitt trigger and functionally operates as a range selector. The invertinginput 412 of theoperational amplifier 400 is connected to a constantpositive voltage reference 420 via aresistor 422. Negative voltage from thejunction 72 is also applied to the invertinginput 412 viaresistor 120 andseries resistors capacitor 434 is connected from the junction between theresistors resistor 440 is connected to ground from the junction ofresistors resistor 442. Theoutput 416 of theoperational amplifier 410 is connected to its non-inverting input 414 through aresistor 444. The non-inverting input 414 is connected to aconstant reference voltage 448 through aresistor 446. - The
resistor 432 andcapacitor 434 operate as an RC filter for the negative voltage from thejunction 72 to reduce the ripple in the dc voltage at the junction between theresistors input 412 of theoperational amplifier 410 through theresistor 430. Thepositive reference voltage 420 is added to this dc signal through theresistor 422. Thus, a positive dc voltage is applied to the invertinginput 412. This positive voltage decreases as the negative voltage at thejunction 72 increases (i.e., as the current in theline 32 increases). If the positive voltage applied to the invertinginput 412 decreases to below the voltage being applied to the non-inverting input 414, the output ofoperational amplifier 410 switches high. Theresistors reference voltages line 32 is below the transition current, the output of theoperational amplifier 410 remains low. The output of theoperational amplifier 410 is high only when the magnitude of the current inline 32 exceeds the transition current.Feedback resistor 444 causes theoperational amplifier 410 to operate as a Schmitt trigger by not switching until the transition current level is crossed. - The
output 416 of theoperational amplifier 410 is applied to aninput 383 of the two-input NAND gate 381. Theother input 385 is connected to either theoutput 320 or theoutput 322 of thecounter 300 by a movable connector 340. Theoutput 387 of theNAND gate 381 is connected to aninput 393 of the two-input NAND gate 391. The other input 395 is connected through aninverter 375 to eitheroutput 324 oroutput 326 of thecounter 300 by amovable connector 342. - When the current in the
line 32 is below the threshold (i.e., not an overcurrent), the output of theoperational amplifier 110 is low, the output of the operational amplifier 210 is high, and all of the outputs 320-326 of thecounter 300 are low. The low signal from either theoutput 320 or the output 322 (depending upon the position of the connector 340) of thecounter 300 and the low signal from the output of theoperational amplifier 410 are each applied to theinputs NAND gate 381. The resultant output of theNAND gate 381 is a high signal, which is applied to theinput 393 of the NAND gate 391. A low signal is applied from eitheroutput 324 or output 326 (depending upon the position of the connector 342) of thecounter 300 to theinverter 375, which converts the low signal to a high signal, and which, in turn, is applied to the other input 395 of the NAND gate 391. With a high signal on each of its inputs, the NAND gate 391 produces a low output signal when current inline 32 is below the threshold current (i.e., no trip signal is produced). - With reference to Fig. 4, if low-moderate overcurrent occurs in the
line 32, the output ofoperational amplifier 410 remains low, as described above. Thus, even though a high signal will be applied by eitheroutput 320 oroutput 322 ofcounter 300 to one input ofNAND gate 381, the output ofNAND gate 381 remains high due to the low signal applied from theoperational amplifier 410. The failure of the output of theoperational amplifier 410 to go high effectively disables whicheveroutput counter 300 is selected by the connector 340 and blocks the effect of any high signals appearing on theoutputs operational amplifier 410, and if a high signal is produced on theoutput movable connector 342, a low o.utput signal frominverter 375 will be applied to NAND gate 391. As a result, theoutput 398 of the NAND gate 391 switches high. This high signal is the trip signal that may initiate the interruption of the current in theline 32. It will be apparent from the foregoing that therange selector 400 and themovable connectors 340 and 342 determine which of the four outputs 320-326 is the one selected to provide the trip signal onoutput 398 for an overcurrent of a given magnitude.
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT83305992T ATE57447T1 (en) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-10-03 | TRIP SIGNAL GENERATOR FOR A SWITCH. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US50694383A | 1983-06-22 | 1983-06-22 | |
US506943 | 1983-06-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP0129623A1 EP0129623A1 (en) | 1985-01-02 |
EP0129623B1 true EP0129623B1 (en) | 1990-10-10 |
Family
ID=24016607
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP83305992A Expired - Lifetime EP0129623B1 (en) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-10-03 | Trip signal generator for a circuit interrupter |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0129623B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE57447T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA1215459A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3381939D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1383217A1 (en) | 2002-07-16 | 2004-01-21 | Abb Research Ltd. | Overcurrent trip device for electronic circuit breaker and method for simulating a trip curve |
JP2016095026A (en) * | 2014-11-13 | 2016-05-26 | アクティエボラゲット・エスコーエッフ | Inclination contact type self axis alignment toroidal rolling bearing |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2614344A1 (en) * | 1976-04-01 | 1977-10-06 | Licentia Gmbh | Overload monitor and control circuit for electric machines - has three stage timer for progressive warning and shutdown |
US4246623A (en) * | 1978-09-08 | 1981-01-20 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Protective relay device |
US4259706A (en) * | 1978-10-06 | 1981-03-31 | Gould Inc. | Solid state relay |
US4347541A (en) * | 1981-01-14 | 1982-08-31 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Circuit breaker |
-
1983
- 1983-10-03 AT AT83305992T patent/ATE57447T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-10-03 DE DE8383305992T patent/DE3381939D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1983-10-03 EP EP83305992A patent/EP0129623B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1983-11-22 CA CA000441631A patent/CA1215459A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP0129623A1 (en) | 1985-01-02 |
ATE57447T1 (en) | 1990-10-15 |
DE3381939D1 (en) | 1990-11-15 |
CA1215459A (en) | 1986-12-16 |
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